It’s been an awfully long time since I have posted just about music. 2007 is halfway over and I am still waiting for Dr Dre’s Detox album. I know, I know. I won’t hold my breath. So here are some artists that have dropped some damn good albums this year.

Icky Thump The White Stripes
Once upon a time, I HATED The White Stripes. I thought they were lame and gimmicky. I thought they were noisy. It took me a while and I finally warmed up to the guitar riffs of Seven Nation Army. After their vignette in Coffee and Cigarettes, I started to find them rather interesting. Icky Thump is exactly how it sounds. Jack hit the nail on the head. I like to let the entire album play all the way through right before I go to bed.

Because of the Times Kings of Leon
The third album by the southern rockin Followill brothers and their cousin. Their 2 previous albums were instant classics and like the Godfather movies, are impossible to determine which one is better. I pre-ordered this album on Amazon and actually waited 1 month before I listened to it. I didnt listen to the advanced copy I may have stumbled upon, accidentally, while using bit torrent, in the dark…while drunk. Definitely listen to: Knocked Up, On Call, My Party, True Love Way, and Ragoo.

Funeral Arcade Fire
No, this is not a mistake. I am well aware this album is 3 years old. Neon Bible, their follow up, dropped just a few months ago. I haven’t gotten there yet. I just finally discovered what everyone else had heard. I owe them a major apology. On behalf of What Da Phuk, Arcade Fire, I apologize for not understanding and appreciating the genius of this album. I recently started from the beginning as Wake Up had fallen into my heavy rotation.

 Afro Samurai RZA and Friends
An animated movie starring Samuel L Jackson and Kelly Hu, Afro Samurai has a soundtrack that would make Kill Bill jealous. RZA honed in and followed up his master piece score of Ghost Dog with some beats so ill, it will slice through you like a Katana. The Empty 7 Theme is one of the coolest pieces of music I have ever heard. Listen to this album and while you’re at it, check out the movie. Guests include: Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Stone Mecca, Big Daddy Kane and True Master.